ATB, unfortuantely the code isn't given for RS715 (for the others yes - s0d's law!).

The Elvington Mossie has been rebuilt by Tony Agar and friends...
That's probably the one Sir George is referring to... It includes components of HJ711 (its i/d) plus PF498, VA878 and RS715... this all according to my ancient Warbirds Woldwide Directory. Thinks, must buy a more up to date copy!

In Carel Birkby's book 'Dancing in the Skies' there are wonderful anecdotes about SAAF Mossies, two in particular, NS520, which staved off several attacks from a ME-262 over the Black Forest in August 1944, and LR480, flown from San Severo Italy to Pretoria in December of the same year in an attempt to set a record.

Birkby's book is really about the aircraft on display at Saxonwold, but he builds in stories relative to the pilots who flew them or against them, and who eventually became chief pilots or even CEOs of South African Airways.

Here is a fairly complete (?) list of suviving mosquitoes: http://www.mossie.org/Mosquito_loc.htm

The rest of the mossie.org site also has plenty of interesting stuff, especially the list of books: http://www.mossie.org/Mosquito_books.htm

Remember once standing atop the control tower at Woodvale some time in the early 80s and watching RR299 do a 'departing pass' at about 10' between the tower and the hangars. Impressive to say the least. Where the Mosquito should be, grunting along down in the weeds. Good to look at from above and good motivation for a young chap just starting out in flying.

Watched 'The Purple Plain' on BBC 2 tonight. Lots of FEAF Mosquito shots - but sadly the hero's ac was burnt out.

Wie Schade!!

W4050 and other MAM aircraft
 

RickyRossco - As I understand it, W4050 is being (has already been?) surveyed to determine the extent of any delamination, and will then undergo a conservation programme to ensure that she remains as a pristine static exhibit.

TA634 has also recently undergone the survey, and although there had been some speculation as to whether she was being looked at with a view to airworthiness, I believe that she's also destined to remain safely on the ground.

TA122's fuselage was in with Skysport for refurb work a couple of years ago, and is currently being worked on at Salisbury Hall. She will eventually be mated to a rare Sea Mosquito wing which I understand was recovered from Israel, and will eventually be statically displayed as an FB6.

Thanks everybody for this wealth of info..... looks like i hit a topic close to everyones heart. I haven't been to the mosquito museum for ages and i only live fifteen minutes away! :rolleyes:

I always saw it as a shame to see W4050 cooped up in a dingy hanger, is she being restored as we speak?

I must go and have a look when the museum opens again in March!

That serves as a timely reminder that I have NEVER been to the Mosquito Museum, despite the fact that it is just a quick whiz round the other side of ther M25 (ho, ho, ho!) from me. THIS year, I promise... any good real ale pubs nearby?

Would be nice if one of their machines could feel the breeze under wings once agian, but I fully understand the cons of doing so.

The above-mentioned David Ogilvy writes about fying the Mosquito in the February 'Aeroplane'.
He's now President of AOPA UK.
Why were his flight tests "something to behold," GottheTshirt?

Taint,

Well as someone said earlier the only way to see a Mossie is b****out among the weeds:) :) If you can get on top a tall van you should be able to see the top of the wing :D :D

The flights were done at Burnaston ( Grass strip) and in the days before "Regs"';) ;) Needless to say there was always a bit of tweaking that needed another test flight:)

The Mossie that went to Kermit was done at Booker by Doug ?? Bianci ( the son ). They did some pretty deep work into the woodwork and glueing etc before it left.! But I'm not surprised that the Florida climate has taken its toll. I dont think anyone thought the glue would have to last as long as it did ! (what was that purple gung called?)

That was also given a "test flight" before departing to the States on a ferry permit. The pilot was George ?? who flew the BAC aircraft and he also flew the aircraft with a couple of "low"passes.

Sorry about the ?? but due to extended senior moments!!

Edit : Was it George Aird ??

muchos gracias.
 

Beauman,

Ta muchly, kind sir. I wasn't sure if the restoration was the full Monty. Good to know. Still no joy with that particular summary on the NZ connection.

treadigraph,

Shame on you! How can anyone with more than an ounce of Merlin addiction in their blood NOT pay respectful homage ?!?
I suggest a ready recruit for Ppruner-punishment-detail immediately visit upon treadigraph a well-deserved beating with a stick of limp celery (preferrably while wearing a flying helmet and in the presence of "The Fallen Madonna with the Big Boobies", by van Clomp...)

And I must forestall any potential chagrin from a so reactionary tirade. I live 8 000 mi from the nearest (museum) Mozzie. Then, again, I too have been guilty of same apathy at visiting sights tourists travel from overseas to see.

Ooohhh yes please! A beating, a beating...

It is a sin that I do hereby promise to put right forthwith, I have several friends of the aviation AND beer drinking persuasion who also wish to visit Salisbury Hall and also Cosford... working out the where the museums are is easy, it's deciding which Good Beer Guide pub is most worthy of our lunchtime attention that causes the arguments...

It was George Aird who ferried N35MK across the pond, so I imagine he also did the test flying and demonstrated her at Biggin. I think this was the ex Strathallan machine wasn't it?

I think George also ferried Doug Arnold's G-MOSI across the pond for the USAF Museum. there was a rathe nice pic of it on a snowy apron somewhere in Greenland or Canada.

The New Zealand connection
 

RickyRossco - found some information on the New Zealand project; apparently being run by a chap called Glyn Powell. More information, including workshop pictures, on this link:

http://www.mossie.org/NZ2308.htm

The site itself is well worth a good look through for anyone with a penchant for Mosquitoes... :)

Kermit's Mosquito is definitely still in the EAA Museum and is unlikely to be flying any time soon.

RiskyRoscoe

There are very persistent rumours of a Mosquito on a farm up in the hills of New Zealand somewhere. I once talked to a fruit farmer who swore blind it was there, and I have heard it several times from other people. The story goes that the guy who has it has turned down many offers, and it just sits there in his barn.

Can you shed any light?

Treadi,

Yes N35MK was from Strathallen.
I went up there for the ferry and George did a couple of beat ups at Strathallen which was very impressive. There was a short guy with him but can't rember his name ( Navigator with BAC)
he was also on the ferry to USA :)

Duxford Mossie
 

I went to look at this with Tim Moore of SkySport a few years back.

I got the impression that he was really keen to be awarded the work to put the wing back together.

I could think of no better company than SkySport - true artisans in wood with such an impressive pedigree - to do it.

Can it be done? I said. With typical Tim Moore passive confidence he replied, 'Its not difficult - it is just a big job and will take a bit of time. We'd love to do it.'

You can bet they'd make a cracking job of it too.

Whils the Mossie is indeed made of tree and 'shouldn't present too many problems in restoration' I think that there are a number of challenges with the design. Am I correct in believing that a lot of the plywood sections were steamed and then moulded at high pressure? This suggests that moulds would either need to be found or recreated?

All things are do-able. It really is a case of 'take out your wallet and repeat after me - help yourself'.

I'll guess (repeat - guess!) at £3-4M for a full airworthy restoration/ recreation, for an aircraft that will end up worth probably half that.

This is the problem.

How many people out there actually want an airworthy Mossie and - oh yes - have millions laying around doing nothing that will be depleted by 'one or two' if it had to be sold?

Even if volunteers are involved, the costs will still be huge.

Nice thought though - a wonderful, evocative machine that I too have seen in the air. MMMmmm!

Salisbury Hall - I spotted a small strip very close by. Any idea how long it is or who owns it? I saw a microlight on it and suspect that it is a bit short for 'proper planes'(quick duck below the parapet!)

HP

GotTheTshirt,

I suspect that the guy crewed with George Aird was Harry Robins (sp?). Harry often acted as the 2nd crew member in HT-E when it flew in the 60s and 70s. He was, I believe, an engineer based at Hawarden, and gave a lot of his free time to help keep HT-E airworthy. I think I'm also right in saying that Harry had been a Mosquito flying instructor during WWII.

Spekesoftly,

Yes it was Harry.
They made a good crew and both "gentlemen of the air"

On a lighter note, one of my now retired colleagues was learning to fly in the RCAF on T-33's some time ago. Some civil registered
PR Mossie/s were operating on survey work and one day while on a cross country, he sighted one below. He decided to 'bounce' it and work it over.

He zoomed past from behind, but missed the last laugh! For many minutes, despite all he tried, his rear was nearly being chewed by two Merlins which stuck to his tail relentelssly until the pilot was sick of it. A useful lesson for youth. :D

G'day ;)